For the first time since sparking concern at the Ramakant Achrekar memorial event a few weeks ago, former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has spoken about his recent health scare and reflected on his long-standing friendship with Sachin Tendulkar.
Kambli, 52, revealed that he has been battling a severe urine infection that led to his collapse a month ago. His family – wife Andrea, son Jesus Cristiano, and daughter Johanna – played a crucial role in his recovery.
“I am better now. My wife takes care of me a lot. She took me to three different hospitals and told me, ‘You have to get fit.’ My son picked me up when I collapsed, and my daughter and wife stood by me throughout. The doctor told me to get admitted,” Kambli shared during an interview with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube.
Despite his struggles, Kambli remains determined to recover fully. “I’m ready to go to rehab. I want to go there because I don’t fear anything. My family is with me,” he said, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.
Vinod Kambli Refuses To Let Go: Emotional Reunion With Sachin Tendulkar In Mumbai
Kambli’s appearance at the Achrekar memorial event, where his visibly frail condition and emotional reunion with Tendulkar went viral, reignited conversations about their storied friendship. The duo famously forged a world-record 664-run partnership in a school match in 1988 and went on to represent India together.
However, their relationship hit a rough patch in 2009 when Kambli publicly suggested that Tendulkar could have done more to help him during his struggles. Addressing the controversy after 15 years, Kambli clarified that his remarks were born out of frustration.
“At that time, it came to my mind that Sachin didn’t help. I was extremely frustrated. But Sachin did everything for me, including paying for my two surgeries in 2013. We spoke, and childhood friendship came forward,” Kambli explained.
Tendulkar’s gesture of covering Kambli’s medical expenses and their interactions at the Achrekar memorial event underscore the enduring bond between the two. “Sachin told me how to play. I made nine comebacks. We are cricketers; we get hurt. When we get out, we also get hurt,” Kambli added.
Reflecting on his cricketing journey, Kambli acknowledged the highs and lows. A prodigious talent, he burst onto the scene in the early 1990s, becoming the first Indian to score back-to-back double centuries in Test cricket. His knock of 224 against England at Wankhede remains one of his cherished memories.
“The double hundred at Wankhede, I will cherish the most. Achrekar sir was with me, and we had such a great team. I used to have fun battles with Muttiah Muralitharan and our other opponents,” Kambli recalled.
Despite his early success, Kambli’s career was marred by inconsistency and off-field issues. He played his last Test in 1996 and ODI in 2000, finishing with a respectable Test average of 54.20 and 1084 runs including four centuries from 17 matches.
Kambli’s story remains one of unfulfilled potential, but his candid reflections and resilience in the face of adversity continue to inspire. “My journey wasn’t perfect, but I gave it my all. I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends like Sachin,” he said.
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